Moreton Bay Archives - Page 2 of 2

Set Sail for Brisbane Race Week 2025: Thrilling Races and Festivities Await

The thrill of the open water returns to Moreton Bay this May as Brisbane Race Week 2025 sets sail for another spectacular showcase of skill, speed, and camaraderie. From 2-7 May, sailors and spectators alike will converge for five days of exhilarating racing and lively celebrations both on and off the water.

Read: Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Welcomes Over 230 Sailors for Sail Brisbane

Now in its third year, the regatta continues to grow in prestige, attracting a diverse fleet of racing yachts, cruising monohulls, and multihulls.

Photo credit: Brisbane Race Week/Facebook

The event is set against the picturesque backdrop of Moreton Bay, with much of the action centred around Manly, the home of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. As one of the premier sailing events in South East Queensland, Brisbane Race Week fosters a sense of friendly rivalry between regional sailing clubs, each vying for victory in a range of unique and challenging courses.

Committee member and competitor Anton Prange highlights the event’s growing appeal, noting its combination of competitive racing and a vibrant social scene as key reasons for its popularity.

The regatta kicks off in high-energy fashion on Friday, with a Formula-1-style “hot laps” race around Green Island, where crews will compete to complete the most laps in a three-hour window. The excitement continues onshore with an opening fiesta featuring Mexican cuisine and live entertainment at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

Saturday and Sunday will see crews navigate handcrafted short courses, testing their skill and coordination as they race against the clock. Evening festivities will keep the energy high, with themed celebrations at both the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and neighbouring Wynnum Manly Yacht Club. The much-anticipated Texan Night at Wynnum Manly Yacht Club on Sunday reinforces the playful cross-club rivalry, offering a fun-filled evening of food, music, and camaraderie.

Monday’s long passage race provides an opportunity for yachts to stretch their legs against the stunning backdrop of Brisbane and Moreton Island. The day concludes with a community fundraiser—Burgers, Beer, and Bingo—supporting the Making Waves Foundation, which promotes inclusivity in sailing through programs for people with disabilities and disadvantaged youth.

Read: Freedom Boat Club in Manly Joins EcoMarines in Moreton Bay Cleanup Mission

Following a well-earned rest on Labour Day, the final race on Wednesday promises to be the ultimate test of strategy and endurance. The pursuit race, with staggered start times based on handicaps, will be a thrilling spectacle as crews battle to be the first across the finish line. The week culminates with a closing celebration and award presentations at the newly renovated Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Bistro.

With early bird registration available until 26 April 2025 and daily casual passes for $38, Brisbane Race Week 2025 invites sailors of all backgrounds to take part in an unforgettable week of racing, rivalry, and revelry. For more information and to register, visit brisbaneraceweek.au.

Published 25-March-2025

Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Welcomes Over 230 Sailors for Sail Brisbane

As summer reaches its peak, the waters off Moreton Bay have been transformed into a vibrant stage for sailing excellence with the commencement of Sail Brisbane 2024. This prestigious regatta, co-hosted by Manly’s Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and Australian Sailing, has drawn over 230 sailors this week, solidifying its position as one of the most significant events on Australia’s sailing calendar.

Read: Former Manly Hospital Site to Become Health and Wellbeing Precinct

A unique blend of youth and experience at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

Reflecting sailing’s inclusive spirit, Sail Brisbane has united an extraordinary range of competitors. The boat park at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is alive with activity, as seven-year-old novices prepare their dinghies alongside seasoned Olympians. This dynamic environment fosters unique opportunities for mentorship, inspiration, and a shared passion for the sport.

Championship racing across multiple disciplines

Running from 17 to 21 December, the regatta features four distinct racing courses spread across Moreton Bay’s pristine waters. The Alpha course is home to the high-performance classes, including the 49er and 49er FX, while the Bravo course hosts traditional single-handed classes such as Finn and ILCA. On the Charlie course, junior sailors in Flying 11s and Optimists compete, while the Delta course showcases cutting-edge foiling vessels that push the boundaries of sailing technology.

Inspiring the next generation of sailors

Sail Brisbane plays a vital role in fostering the next generation of sailing champions. By racing alongside their sporting heroes, young competitors witness firsthand the dedication and skill required to excel in the sport. The regatta’s inclusive format not only inspires but also prepares aspiring athletes for future success on national and international stages.

Read: Freedom Boat Club in Manly Joins EcoMarines in Moreton Bay Cleanup Mission

As the final major sailing event of 2024, Sail Brisbane is a celebration of the strength and vitality of Australia’s sailing community. With racing continuing through to Saturday, 21 December, the waters off Moreton Bay will shine as the backdrop for intense competition and camaraderie.

Published 17-December-2024

Freedom Boat Club in Manly Joins EcoMarines in Moreton Bay Cleanup Mission

In an inspiring collaboration to protect marine environments, the EcoMarines Foundation has partnered with Manly-based Freedom Boat Club to conduct a waterway cleanup initiative in Moreton Bay.

Read: Belmont Healthcare Worker Claire Lee on a Mission to Address Youth Eco-grief Crisis

Students from a local Bayside school recently participated in an environmental conservation effort, boarding a Bayliner Trophy centre console boat to remove floating waste between Manly Boat Harbour and Lota housing canals. The expedition was part of the EcoMarines Foundation’s educational program, which currently engages over 200 Queensland schools in environmental stewardship.

Photo credit: Freedom Boat Club – Brisbane/Facebook

Brett Bolton, owner of Freedom Boat Club – Brisbane, said: “We are so proud to be one of the first EcoMarines Corporate Crew partners and help students put their classroom learnings into real-world practice out on the water.”

“Our boat club members understand the value of maintaining pristine waterways so it was great to team up with some budding young environmental custodians to keep the bay clean,” he added.

Mr Bolton highlighted the marine life’s activity, noting, “Marine life has been unbelievably active this year with turtle, dolphin and dugong sightings a regular occurrence on every member boating trip. Whales have also been out in force with hundreds of sightings deep in the Bay between Green and Moreton Island.”

He emphasized the importance of conservation, stating, “It is our duty to protect this world-class environmental playground and all our members are educated on the protection of wildlife and the environment during their compulsory induction training. We need to protect this sensitive ecosystem so our children and their children can also enjoy what we have today.”

EcoMarines Foundation CEO Angela Massy said: “Our collaboration with Freedom Boat Club aligns with our long-term vision to care for and preserve the environment.”

“Clean waterways are essential not just for aesthetics but for the health of our ecosystem and the survival of all living beings. Partnerships like this offer students meaningful, hands-on experiences that show them the tangible impact of their actions. Together, EcoMarines and Freedom Boat Club are making a lasting difference in preserving Moreton Bay’s natural beauty and biodiversity,” she added.

Read: Manly Pharmacy Joins Queensland’s Community Pharmacy Hormonal Contraception Pilot

The initiative provides students with a unique, hands-on experience that demonstrates the direct impact of environmental conservation efforts, combining educational outreach with practical action to inspire a new generation of environmental custodians.

Published 28-November-2024

Historic Manly Mansion Hits Market for First Time in 60 Years

Photo Credit: realestate.com.au

The historic Cloncrew estate at 12 Valetta Street, an original Spanish Mission-style Manly mansion, hits the market for the first time in 60 years after being owned by the same family for seven decades.

Built in 1938 by renowned Brisbane architect Eric Percival Trewern for barrister Dennis O’Connor, who had longstanding ties to Manly dating back to 1898, the sprawling 2,548 square meter hilltop property offers a grand blend of Spanish mission architecture and Art Deco design.

Its prime waterfront location captures stunning panoramic views of Moreton Bay and the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron marina that many Manly residents know and love.

“Cloncrew is truly one of our area’s landmark estates and most significant remaining historic properties,” said Danny Day of Ocean Realty, who is marketing the property. “Its original condition is immaculately preserved.”

Indeed, many of Cloncrew’s breathtaking original details remain intact, including soaring ornate ceilings, glazed lead-light double doors, walls veneered in rich Queensland timbers, and the home’s pièce de résistance — a spectacular semicircular Piazza terrace overlooking the bay.

Other standout period features are the grand living room’s cantilevered fireplace with Helidon freestone and carved timber mantle, the elegant dining room with servery window, and the opulent main bathroom’s Terrazzo floors and handmade Italian tiled shower.

While the kitchen has been updated, Day notes there is opportunity for the new owners to pursue further modernisation or additions like a glass atrium, subject to heritage approvals to preserve Cloncrew’s history and architectural integrity.

The property has already drawn interest from local buyers, as well as house hunters from Sydney and Melbourne, just days after hitting the market.

“This is really a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own an irreplaceable piece of Manly’s rich history and community fabric,” Day said. “I envision the new owners will be blown away by Cloncrew’s beauty and pedigree, and committed to honouring its past while adding their own vision.”

An indicative sale price is available by application, reflecting the property’s immense historic value and significance to Manly’s character. Locals will surely be watching with anticipation as this iconic estate finds its new custodians.

Published 29-February-2024

Authorities Warn Of Illegal Shellfish Harvesting In Moreton Bay

Did you know that harvesting some shellfish species from Moreton Bay is prohibited? The regulations are in place to help the shellfish population recover.

Read: Stratton Terrace Development to Bring New Dining or Lifestyle Amenities to Manly

This comes after fisheries officers informed the State Government that they have been receiving an increasing number of reports about fishers breaking the rules.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol has conducted a vehicle search where they uncovered 645 mud whelks and the offenders were issued with Fisheries Infringement Notice fines of $2,204 in total.

According to Member of Redlands Kim Richards, Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers recently responded to a call to the Fishwatch hotline and found four offenders at Thorneside in possession of hundreds of gastropods.

In 2019, the Queensland Government introduced new management arrangements to protect gastropod and bivalve molluscs from excessive harvesting.

Member for Pumicestone Ali King said the species are highly susceptible to depletion because they are sedentary and can be easily harvested in fishing grounds close to urban centres.

“These restrictions were necessary so we can build a legacy of a sustainable fishery for our children and grandchildren,” Ms King said.

“Gastropod and bivalve molluscs including mud arks, mud whelks and cockles, cannot be taken from closed waters in Moreton Bay,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers will be conducting their regular compliance checks around Moreton Bay closed waters and urged fishers to always fish by the rules.

“Our state’s fisheries resources belong to all Queenslanders and it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect fish stocks for the future,” Mr Furner said.

People who suspect illegal fishing activity should report it to the 24 hour toll-free Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116.